.45 ball-Et
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palonghunter
40 Cal.
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I've used the .50 caliber ones in a 1:66 twist barrel. Accuracy was OK. They will give you a bit more penetration than a roundball since they're heavier.
They will have more "energy" on paper as they have more mass, especially if you increase the powder charge slightly to keep them at the same MV as a round ball.
In a recent thread we talked about a Hornady PA Conical bullet, made for a "slow twist" barrel, and the accuracy was not nearly as good as a patched round ball from the same test barrel...So... you'll have to test them to be sure from your rifle.
(iirc) They were marketed as a quick reload for a slow twist barrel for one could load and fire without using a patch. The problem is that no matter how fast you reload... you're very unlikely to get a "quick" second shot at, let alone hit, the deer you shot first, unless you are shooting a double barrel rifle of some sort. You are more likely to have time to properly reload a patched round ball, and then go looking for the deer (you should wait 15-20 minutes) If a second shot is needed you will have your most accurate round ready.
LD
In a recent thread we talked about a Hornady PA Conical bullet, made for a "slow twist" barrel, and the accuracy was not nearly as good as a patched round ball from the same test barrel...So... you'll have to test them to be sure from your rifle.
(iirc) They were marketed as a quick reload for a slow twist barrel for one could load and fire without using a patch. The problem is that no matter how fast you reload... you're very unlikely to get a "quick" second shot at, let alone hit, the deer you shot first, unless you are shooting a double barrel rifle of some sort. You are more likely to have time to properly reload a patched round ball, and then go looking for the deer (you should wait 15-20 minutes) If a second shot is needed you will have your most accurate round ready.
LD
Really they don't have allot more weight than a RB so yes they will have more punch but only slightly.
galamb
58 Cal.
Did you find some old ones or has Buffalo started producing them again?
I shot the ones from Buffalo (who was the only mfg producing them in 45 cal as far as I could ever find) - And YES, they shoot perfectly in slow twist (1:56 and 1:66 barrels at least in my experience).
They are kinda a cheap way to give you an extra caliber (the 45 ball-et's weigh roughly what a 50 round ball weights, 50=54 cal etc).
If you have fixed sights that are sighted for round balls you will have to "hold over" they fly good but NOT the same (because they are heavier).
I much prefer the ball-et style (or PA conical in 50 cal from Hornady) over heavier conicals, but I really see them as having a limited use.
In 45 cal there is nothing really you can do with a ball-et that a round ball won't do just as good. You just aren't gaining that much.
On a different note however, you don't need to patch these so you can keep a few in one of those little zip lock bags to take in your field bag just in-case...
Last note - if they are old Buffalo's, make sure the lube is still (slippery). It had a habit of drying out and getting a little flakey. If it has degenerated, wipe them down and coat them with something else (bore butter works fine and is easy to find).
I shot the ones from Buffalo (who was the only mfg producing them in 45 cal as far as I could ever find) - And YES, they shoot perfectly in slow twist (1:56 and 1:66 barrels at least in my experience).
They are kinda a cheap way to give you an extra caliber (the 45 ball-et's weigh roughly what a 50 round ball weights, 50=54 cal etc).
If you have fixed sights that are sighted for round balls you will have to "hold over" they fly good but NOT the same (because they are heavier).
I much prefer the ball-et style (or PA conical in 50 cal from Hornady) over heavier conicals, but I really see them as having a limited use.
In 45 cal there is nothing really you can do with a ball-et that a round ball won't do just as good. You just aren't gaining that much.
On a different note however, you don't need to patch these so you can keep a few in one of those little zip lock bags to take in your field bag just in-case...
Last note - if they are old Buffalo's, make sure the lube is still (slippery). It had a habit of drying out and getting a little flakey. If it has degenerated, wipe them down and coat them with something else (bore butter works fine and is easy to find).
